Right to right parenthood

A lot of discussions are going on around surrogacy trend in India. While some argue that it has become a sort of style statement, some others feel that it is impacting adoption rates negatively. On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet cleared a Bill which aims to safeguard the rights of surrogate mothers, and legalise their parentage. The Bill also proposed a complete ban on commercial surrogacy and allowing only legally-wedded couples to opt for children to check unethical practices. Let’s look what celebs, single parents and doctors say.

Condemning the misuse of altruistic surrogacy, Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj alleged that what started for convenience has become a luxury. Lashing out at celebrities for choosing surrogacy and making it ‘trendy’, she says, “Even celebrities who have not one but two children – a son and a daughter – went ahead with surrogacy.”

However, dismissing her statements, PSN Prasad, chairman of Dr Rama’s Institute for Fertility, says, “The Khans or other celebrities don’t constitute even one percent. 99.99 per cent of couples who seek surrogacy are those who can’t have their own genetic baby.”

Sushma alleged that India has emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples and unethical practices. But Prasad says otherwise. “Not even 500 surrogacy babies are born to foreigners every year in India. We hardly have two births per month. Surrogacy has simply attracted too much attention due to its sensational nature. Too many difficulties of logistics are involved for the intending parents, surrogates and hospitals. It is practised only as a last hope and resort. And there are no reported cases of exploitation with the government,” he reasons.

Joy of (single) parenting Many politicians, officials and rich businessmen go abroad for organ transplants which are prohibited in India. Likewise, the rich and the mighty will be unaffected by the law even if surrogacy is banned, says Prasad. “It is only the poor and the middle classes that are affected. The rich can find surrogate babies abroad if they want.” According to the ministry, childless couples who are medically unfit can get help from a close relative. Prasad asks, “Is there any guarantee that they won’t forge documents to prove their relationship ” Surrogacy Made Gay Family Complete A male citizen of an EU country on condition of anonymity, considers himself lucky and says, “I came to India eight years ago, after I alongwith my gay partner for five years decided to have a baby. My country did not and still does not permit surrogacy. I found a surrogate in India who conceived my sperm and a donor egg from an anonymous Indian donor. I took permission from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to take my child on a travel document issued by my embassy. After a few years of legal proceedings, the child has been recognised as my child.”

Tusshar Kapoor inspired by Prakash Jha Tusshar Kapoor, who became a proud dad with the help of IVF and surrogacy recently, says his paternal instinct grew strong due to the influence of director Prakash Jha.

Proud parent Vishal, who opted for surrogacy before this policy says, “It’s a good initiative, this will atleast bring in the legalities in the system. It’s for the welfare of the child being conceived, and genuine couples can benefit. Although, it does prevent single parents, but it might prevent couples to separate and even promote singles to get married! The responsibility of a child is not easy and every child needs a mother and a father.” Input by Suruchi Kapur-Gomes